[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-485":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Path of Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271635,4436,"Chapter 485","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-485",485,"\u003Cp>The old monk did not wish to listen to Fu Lao’s rambling, but since he was merely a wisp of qi, he had no other means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao merely placed a hand on his shoulder, and the old monk involuntarily stepped forward, following Fu Lao to the table, then sat down reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You monks are truly petty-minded. Very well, today I’ll ramble a while—first, let’s settle accounts properly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the old monk’s grim expression, Fu Lao raised his white eyebrows, extended five fingers, and began listing off:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, I’ll set aside your attempt to trap me within this Buddha-land and secretly strike to extract the Dongqing Yubao Ling’ao Dan from my body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, back then we had no ties; such an act was not unreasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we fought for countless eons, this Buddha-land drifting through the star-sea and Great Void, until it accidentally collided with a great tide of demonic forces—you couldn’t bear it, slaughtered every last demon, unaware they had powerful patrons behind them, and this ultimately stirred the newly enlightened Shouzun Demon God, who came out in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Under Shouzun Demon God’s pressure, you were the one who proposed we bury our grudges and first escape together—I naturally agreed and gave my full strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But after we finally escaped Shouzun Demon God and I gradually healed my wounds, you suddenly reneged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You promised I could leave the Buddha-land afterward, yet now you refuse—you, relying on your slightly lighter injuries, want to challenge me again and seize my divine elixir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Fu Lao sneered, pointing at the old monk:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you deny any of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk had no reply, awkwardly turning his head away without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the old monk’s sudden greed, though the two had once cooperated to escape the Shouzun Demon God and shared deep ties, Fu Lao and the old monk continued their struggle, once again clashing within this Buddha-land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within this multiverse, countless hidden secrets and dire dangers lurked unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the journey thus far, aside from the Shouzun Demon God, the Buddha-land had also faced other formidable foes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To protect themselves, Fu Lao and the old monk were forced to join forces several times, signing pacts of alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, alternating between unity and treachery, they endured countless aeons—this had become a prolonged struggle between them, impossible to resolve easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet ten thousand years ago, when Fu Lao suddenly broke through a Dao barrier and elevated his cultivation, the balance of power slowly tilted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, it was no longer the old monk who stubbornly sealed the Buddha-land’s entrances to trap Fu Lao to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, Fu Lao had subtly seized the old monk’s vital point—so even if the old monk wished to retreat, he could no longer do so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balance of offense and defense—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had now reversed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his speech, Fu Lao pointed at the old monk, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, and barked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You treacherous monk broke the pact first and repeatedly used underhanded tricks—I’ve merely taken half your true consciousness as a minor punishment and a great warning; I’ve shown you immense tolerance! What do you have to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk fell silent for a moment, sighed, and admitted honestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know this act violates my pure heart, but with the Dongqing Yubao Ling’ao Dan before me—such a miraculous elixir—ask any spirit in the world: who wouldn’t be tempted? Who wouldn’t wish to shatter the primordial limit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was blinded by greed, my evil thoughts obscured my vision, and in a moment of carelessness, I shattered my meditative stillness—this evil karma is my fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao studied the old monk for a moment, then chuckled slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this point, do you still believe your secret technique is truly effective? To be frank—even if you somehow got lucky and captured me, you could never re-refine the elixir I’ve already ingested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re an old man—have you truly lived so long you’ve turned into a dog?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That so-called technique is a forgery, falsely attributed to Master Jutuo—it’s nothing but a joke, utterly useless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Jutuo was the Seal Master of the Dan Yuan Department during the Shen Gao Dynasty, head of all Dan Yuan ministers, equal in status to Tianyi Yan of the Heavenly Craft Department—truly exalted and sacred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his tenure, he compiled 36,240,000 volumes of elixir texts and created five classes of elixirs capable of transforming life and death, reaching the depths of creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dongqing Yubao Ling’ao Dan, which enables spirit vessels to shatter their primordial limits and terrifies even the greatest cultivators, was one of Master Jutuo’s masterpieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, Fu Lao had learned the old monk possessed a technique said to be created by Master Jutuo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its purpose: to disassemble the essence and use the life of the one who ingested the elixir as sacrifice, to re-refine the already-consumed elixir through the secret method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao naturally did not believe such nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did it violate the natural laws of creation and destruction, but Master Jutuo was inherently benevolent—he would never expend effort to create such a heretical art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also know this technique may be a forgery and useless, but with such a golden opportunity before me, if I miss it, when will I ever find another chance to shatter the primordial limit...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk still felt unwilling, sighing endlessly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though we spirit vessels enjoy long life and self-sufficient power, we’ve seen immortals, Buddhas, and gods who effortlessly pluck stars and seize the moon—how could I not wish to become one of them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my spirit vessel body cannot cultivate—I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao waved his hand, cutting off the old monk’s complaints:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you know it’s useless but still pursue it, that’s pure folly. If you truly wish to shatter the primordial limit, why not go to Da Zhi Tian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Master Jutuo resigned, according to several elder Heavenly Officials, he left behind one hundred thousand vials of elixirs—perhaps one of them was the Dongqing Yubao Ling’ao Dan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk’s face darkened, glancing at Fu Lao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t joke. When the ancient world collapsed, Da Zhi Tian was reduced to ruins—it still hasn’t recovered its primordial energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not to mention the Wei Daoist who now guards its depths is no easy foe—just the residual killing arrays, prohibitions, and divine arts within Da Zhi Tian alone would be enough to give me a hard time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if those hundred thousand vials remain unlooted and still sealed in the Dan Yuan Department, I won’t risk entering such a deadly place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if those one hundred thousand bottles of elixirs had not been looted and were still securely stored in the Elixir Department, I would not venture into such danger myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want the treasure but fear death—you think the world owes you such luck? Where’s the fairness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the old monk could retort, Fu Lao suddenly produced a vial of Jingye Ganlu, poured a cup for the old monk himself, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, here—this is the fine wine the Dao Court used to entertain high-ranking Zen masters at the Ten Thousand Heavens Assembly. The Lord brought it back for me—I never dared drink it all, and now this is the last vial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet faced with Fu Lao’s sudden kindness, the old monk only frowned suspiciously and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just say what you mean outright—don’t play these games with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good intentions met with donkey’s liver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao shook his head and asked: “Monk, I’ve made myself clear now. Even though I’ve taken half your true consciousness, then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk felt a pounding headache and waved his hands frantically to interrupt: “I was in the wrong first—what do you, this ox-nose Daoist, truly want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that Jingcang Bianji Buddha has entered nirvana, what are your plans after leaving this Buddha-land?” Fu Lao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk froze, then burst into loud laughter, slapping his hands together:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it—you’re trying to persuade me to surrender! Don’t even speak of it—impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am a supreme treasure of the Zen Sect—how could I submit to your Yucheng, some mere immortal sect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you plan to return to Wuliangguang Tian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you won’t be able to return to Wuliangguang Tian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao met the old monk’s gaze and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all these years, I know your heart—you seek to shatter the primordial barrier of spirit vessels, to cultivate freely like me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But do you think... the Baoya Temple can still help you? Can it still protect you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk fell silent; unconsciously, his gaze dimmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk did not answer at first; unconsciously, his gaze grew slightly darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingcang Bianji Buddha was the founding patriarch of his lineage, and Baoya Temple was his power base within Wuliangguang Tian—solemn, vast, filled with countless monks, a land of peace and prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet compared to other great Zen monasteries, Baoya Temple had always lacked brilliant successors, repeatedly outshone by monks from other temples in Dharma assemblies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the true great cultivators guarding the temple numbered only Jingcang Bianji Buddha alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, Baoya Temple’s rise or fall rested entirely on Jingcang Bianji Buddha’s shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Jingcang Bianji Buddha had entered nirvana, Baoya Temple’s situation was surely dire...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All this talk is useless—can Yucheng find me the Dongqing Yubao Ling’ao Dan, or offer another way to lift my primordial limit?” The old monk hesitated, then firmly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t returned to Xiao Ming Daze in ages—I don’t know the sect’s current state, so I can’t promise anything. But there is one thing I can swear to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All these words you’ve said are useless—can Yuchen find me the Dongqing Jade Treasure Spirit Elucidation Pill, or is there some other way to lift this primordial limitation on my body?” The old monk hesitated a moment, then firmly shook his head and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you return to Xiao Ming Daze, Yucheng will at least protect you—keep you from becoming a servant or slave!” Fu Lao said meaningfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk’s expression changed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a spirit vessel’s true consciousness was fully controlled, not even life or death was its own—every movement, every thought, subject to its master’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the greatest fear of spirit vessels like the old monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You understand now—such treasures, capable of aiding others in enlightenment, are exceedingly rare across the entire multiverse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that Baoya Temple has lost Jingcang Bianji Buddha, how can it still protect you? On the contrary, the temple may need to exploit you just to survive in Wuliangguang Tian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you understand now—such a treasure, capable of aiding others in awakening to the Dao, is exceedingly rare even across the vast expanse of the myriad heavens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if a great cultivator captures and subjugates you, forget freedom or joy—just resign yourself to being a beast of burden!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk fell into long thought; when he spoke again, his tone was unnatural:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if Baoya Temple can’t protect me, the Buddha Master once had a close bond with Cixian Guang Buddha of Shanjian Temple—under his protection, I should be safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon hearing this, Fu Lao burst into loud laughter, leaving the old monk utterly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so funny?” the old monk asked, baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Heavenly Sovereign of the Yang World, a high minister of the Dao Court—a seasoned statesman who’s held court for ages—is he really as benevolent as he looks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember how Hong Yu Zhen Wang lost his position and was exiled to the Underworld after clashing with the Fire Department? You’re an ancient survivor—surely you know!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could a Grand Celestial Lord of the Yang World, a high minister of the Dao Court, a seasoned statesman who has long held court, possibly be as gentle and benevolent as he appears?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk pondered for a while; though he felt uneasy, he dismissed it as mere provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And seeing Fu Lao still meant to speak, the old monk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Buddha pondered for a while; though he felt a faint unease, he ultimately paid no mind to these words, dismissing them as incitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the old Buddha saw Fu Lao still intending to speak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rushed forward and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me think this over carefully, but your claim that Yu Yuchen can protect me—I find that hard to believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why say that?” Fu Lao asked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your master, Dong Gaozi, is the lord of the Thunder Department’s Heavenly Gang Manifestation Hall, the favorite disciple’s disciple of the great Immortal, and should rank second in power among you, Yu Yuchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk gazed at the increasingly faint, barely discernible shadow of Dong Gaozi, and slowly shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such a lofty Immortal could be driven away by some strange old Daoist riding a six-tusked white elephant, and has not been heard from all these years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think your Yu Yuchen has stirred up a great enemy—a real trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao’s face darkened; he frowned at the old monk and waved his hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With my lord’s divine powers, he is surely unharmed. The fact that I still stand here alive is proof enough. I’ve told you all this—what exactly are you thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk knew Fu Lao was demanding he reveal his final position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for a long while, he finally apologized:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was originally from the Chan sect, and this—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Fu Lao flew into a rage, raising his fist to strike: “You shameless monk! When you betrayed your oath and struck from behind, you weren’t acting like this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk covered his Pilu hat and ran off, hastily defending himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet whether moved by Fu Lao’s words or burdened by guilt over his betrayal, at this decisive moment, he finally felt remorse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed deeply, and at last softened his stance slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I refuse to take refuge under Yu Yuchen, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk’s temple twitched; he whispered: “I can make one secret transaction with you—only once. We both know what this means. Liangguang and Xudu have always been at odds; if this gets out, I fear I’ll have no place left in my homeland!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao sneered, gripping the old monk’s collar tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke for a while longer; though the old monk finally showed signs of relief, he feigned hesitation before reluctantly nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t trust you now. This is merely a gentleman’s agreement—how it proceeds will be decided by me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Lao tapped the old monk on the head and said with deep meaning:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always felt that Ci Xian Guang Buddha is no ordinary being. Though someone like you may not even be worth his notice, you should still use your head when acting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk did not wish to argue further on this matter; he turned to Chen Hang, who sat in meditation beside the stone lamp, and changed the subject:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve gone to great lengths for this junior of your sect. But I’ll say this plainly: even with Dong Gaozi’s magic power, you can only hold me back for five years. After that, I won’t stay a moment longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five years should be enough for him to enter the Great Yi Thunder…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Fu Lao did not grow angry; instead, he turned and smiled at the old monk:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can your Bao Ya Temple produce even one such jade tree among its orchid groves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old monk’s face darkened and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Chen Hang, lost in meditation, felt his soul drifting freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely sensed he was within a vast, magnificent palace, its walls filled with swirling mist and clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lotus-shaped dais rose above, its surface nothing but pure, radiant light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wondrous, circular dharma tone issued from the light, clearing Chen Hang’s mind as if Tihuguanding —his confusion vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire qi surged like a tide, climbing layer upon layer, resonating mysteriously with the Dao of Heaven and Earth, awakening a strange connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his closed eyes now slowly filled with golden lightning, flickering like flames, radiant as electric light!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is thunder primordial qi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an indeterminate time, Chen Hang suddenly opened his eyes—his gaze blazed brilliantly, like the rising sun, blazing and radiant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke those words, an indescribable joy surged through him, and he burst into laughter. He felt everything around him trembling—the vast, magnificent palace, the mist and clouds filling it—all vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him, darkness plunged, pitch black, not a trace of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he felt himself lifted by some unseen force, rising upward, with no idea where he was headed…\u003C\u002Fp>",2765,"2026-06-19T22:30:06.574Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5e42f144e75b9b64ca0b03bf59662994687acaf7706db71864427e3a7f666730","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-486","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-484",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]